HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Three air commandos, including Capt. Jeremy Fresques of Clarkdale, Ariz., were posthumously awarded Bronze Stars during a memorial service Friday for missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots.
Those missions included their last, on Monday - Memorial Day 2005 - in Iraq. A small Iraqi air-force plane they were using to find and survey remote landing sites crashed about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad.
An Air Force and Iraqi pilot also died in the crash of the Florida-built Comp Air 7SL, a single-engine, utility and surveillance plane. The cause remains under investigation.
"These heroes died defending a cause each of us in uniform staunchly believes in," Col. O.G. Mannon, commander of the 16th Special Operations Wing. "Their service, their gift to our nation and to the world was an unfaltering commitment to freedom."
Three automatic rifles were displayed upright with soldier's helmets atop of them to commemorate two special-tactics officers, Fresques and Capt. Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif., and Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, of Spanaway, Wash.
All three were Combat Controllers specialized in calling in airstrikes, conducting search and rescue missions and assessing remote landing areas.
This Photo Gallery is in honor of Derek, Jeremy, and Casey's Sacrifices in protecting our liberties.
Our Good Friend Marty also passed on this summer and left some words of value spoken to us through his wife Jana Martinez. Each Memorial Day I will always Recall..... Some Gave All! Thank You Marty!
"All Gave Some, But Some Gave All For The Red, White, And Blue… Some Had To Fall So When You Think Of Me, Think Of All Your Liberties And Recall….. Some Gave All"
I talked to Bill over the Thanksgiving Holidays and the whole Giesige Clan had desended on Chad's hacienda as they gave thanks. I too give thanks and ask the All Mighty to have Chad on his feet when we get together this next year.
Nikki, From The Brotherhood and my heart, We would like to Thank You for all your sacrifices and unwavering support of our brother warrior! Your words about Chad describe you; unique, special, and a rare find!
"Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns' early-bird special? Any response would be appreciated."
The reply is classic, and a testament to the professionalism and heroism of the folks in the armed services. The response:
Quote: Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday): On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques.
Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 1 5, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.
Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the president of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured. A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.
The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?" The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.
Lt. Col. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke Air Force Base